#17 Pick – Dallas Cowboys select TE Khalil Dinkins
Pre DDT Grade: C+
Post DDT Grade: C-
Pre DDT Analysis: In a relatively weak TE class, the Cowboys were the only team to take a TE in the first 63 picks. They bite on the Mackey award winner to fill a need on their roster and pray for a dev. Because of they don’t get the dev, this was a slight reach.
Post DDT Analysis: I feel like Dinkins needed a dev trait upgrade to justify this pick. Now it’s going to be tough to develop his low catch in traffic and route running with 2 seasons to play.
#18 Pick – Pittsburgh Steelers select SS DQ Smith
Pre DDT Grade: B+
Post DDT Grade: A-
Pre DDT Analysis: Curt is perhaps PML’s most underrated GM when it comes to drafting. The Steelers got themselves a nice Sub LB [once he gets +2 awareness] with great catching and coverage out the gate.
Post DDT Analysis: DQ is already Day 1 ready, and now he has star dev that could elevate him to greatness. Now the question is if Curt users him in the box, or has DQ play deep alongside Minkah.
Post DDT Analysis:
#19 Pick – Dallas Cowboys select DE Suntarine Perkins
Pre DDT Grade: F
Post DDT Grade: F
Analysis: His “beating blocks” ratings are fine. 86 speed is cool. But even as an edge I’m really worried about his 225 pound frame with 84 strength and very worrisome 70 impact block. Any smart offensive coordinator will direct runs this guy’s way if he’s on the field. Also the next pick…
Post DDT Analysis: Well this normal player got normal dev. Bubba will have to clean up this mess, we’ll see if the new regime even has plans to use Perkins at all.
#20 Pick – Cleveland Browns select DE Peter Woods
Pre DDT Grade: A++
Post DDT Grade: A++
Analysis: You’re telling me the Cowboys, Bills, and Ravens didnt take this guy instead? The Nagurski award winner is a tank with 90 block shed, 85 power move, and 87 finesse move out the gate with a great chance at a great dev trait. He should not have fallen out of the top 10 for sure, and the Browns having to be thanking their lucky stars that GMs ahead of them got caught sleeping at the wheel.
Post DDT Analysis: Just like Tyre West, this was already a perfect pick and now he’s SS. Woods and Myles Garrett together is terrifying.
#21 Pick – Dallas Cowboys select HB CJ Baxter
Pre DDT Grade: B-
Post DDT Grade: A
Pre DDT Analysis: A key piece of the defending CFB champ Longhorns will be staying in Texas to continue his football career. Baxter should be a great pro right away. He also has a good shot at SS or XF dev.
Post DDT Analysis: Baxter got X-Factor, and that is huge for a running back. Already one of the easiest positions to develop, CJ Baxter is going to be a force to be reckoned with. Bubba developed Bijan Robinson well with the Titans, expect that same blueprint to be followed with Baxter.
#22 Pick – Las Vegas Raiders select WR Brandon Inniss
Pre DDT Grade: C+
Post DDT Grade: C+
Pre DDT Analysis: The Raiders got their Davante Adams replacement. Maybe their Devante Adams wannabe. 99 catch may inflate his overall, but his route running is legit. A very safe pick at 22.
Post DDT Analysis: Star dev is nice. I don’t think it moves the needle here. This is still a solid pick, and hopefully Inniss can take some defensive attention away from Rome Odunze.
#23 Pick – Denver Broncos select CB Upton Scout
Pre DDT Grade: D+
Post DDT Grade: B
Pre DDT Grade: If DK were actually in the country to scout, he wouldn’t take Scout. In season 4, it’s not worth taking a guy like this with a first round pick.
Post DDT Analysis: This is probably the most drastic grade change I’ve ever done post DDT. Scout is now Stout with SS dev. We’ll see if the Broncos play Scout at safety with this team already boasting PS2, Marshon Lattimore, and Donte Jackson.
#24 Pick – New Orleans Saints select Keyshawn Burgos
Pre DDT Grade: A
Post DDT Grade: A
Pre DDT Analysis: If you’re catching a trend, the DE/Edge position had a lot of great talent if you could find it. The Saints found a gem who is definitely day 1 ready and set the edge with a sweet combination of speed and power.
Post DDT Analysis: Normal dev is not a letdown, we were never expecting a former VTech Hokie to get a dev. His ratings are still off the charts good.
#25 Pick – Miami Dolphins select CB William Lee II
Pre DDT Grade: C
Post DDT Grade: C+
Pre DDT Analysis: I don’t know why Deebo ever has multiple first round picks. He should just trade all his first round picks away drafting like this. His 6’3 height is promising, and his coverage ratings are actually pretty good. But I promise you no one else had a day 1 grade on this guy.
Post DDT Grade: Hey man Deebo [and his CPU] is sniffing out dev traits. But can 89 speed survive in a division with Tyquan Thorton and Quez Watkins? TBD.
#26 Pick – Chicago Bears select MLB Harrison Taggert
Pre DDT Grade: B+
Post DDT Grade: B
Pre DDT Analysis: I’m a bit conflicted with this pick. Not because of his OVR, but because of his stature. Can a 215 pound and 70 strength MLB play every down? Ultimately that might not matter as much if this is Jefe’s user defender. And Taggert makes one heck of a user defender which ultimately makes me lean towards feeling great about this pick over feeling conflicted. But we shall see once he plays meaningful snaps.
Post DT Analysis: Not getting star dev is slightly disappointing. But it doesn’t move the needle. This pick was all about giving the Bears a new user defender.
#27 Pick – New England Patriots select QB Gavin Wimmsatt
Pre DDT Grade: A-
Post DDT Grade: B+
Pre DDT Analysis: Cousin Wimmy has the tools to be great, and he landed at the perfect team. With Dot’s ability to pass the ball, Wimmsatt has the capability of being a franchise QB.
Post DDT Analysis: Normal dev is going to make the road to make Wimsatt a respectable starter in the league that much tougher. And if the Patriots do not turn the ball to Cousin Wimmy by midseason then this pick will feel wasted.
#28 Pick – Seattle Seahawks select WR Jared Brown
Pre DDT Grade: A+
Post DDT Grade: A+
Pre DDT Analysis: Besides the DE steals, this wins my best value pick of round 1. Brown’s route running is best in class. I’m sure Z had a “pinch me I must be dreaming” moment when realizing he got Brown as the 5th WR off the board all the way down at pick 28.
Post DDT Analysis: Star dev is the cherry on top here. Brown will still play 3rd fiddle behind DK and JSN, but any pressure he alleviates off of DK Metcalf will be a big win.
Post DDT Analysis
#29 Pick – New York Giants select SS Zyrus Fiaseu
Pre DDT Grade: B+
Post DDT Grade: A
Pre DDT Analysis: I feel like I’m beating a drum complimenting a team for getting a solid Sub LB with good coverage ratings. But yea, that’s what what we got once again here folks. After trading away Isaiah Simmons last season, this should help fill a void in the Giants defense.
Post DDT Analysis: This is a slight surprise, but certainly a pleasant surprise. The Giants now can lean towards playing Zyrus as a deep safety as he quickly gains coverage attributes with his SS dev.
#30 Pick – Green Bay Packers select WR Trayvon Rudolph
Pre DDT Grade: C
Post DDT Grade: C-
Pre DDT Analysis: The Packers only had 3 WRs on the roster entering the draft with no cap space, including 71 OVR Bo Melton. So to say this was a need would be an understatement. Rudolph is a solid player with a chance to excel, as he joins the team with last year’s leader in passing yards Jordan Love.
Post DDT Analysis: Only normal dev makes Rudolph just a regular reindeer. Given the WRs in free agency right now, Rudolph feels super mid to get out of a season 4 draft.
#31 – Los Angeles Rams select HB CJ Donaldson
Pre DDT Grade: B-
Post DDT Grade: B
Pre DDT Analysis: It’s safe to say 257 pound HBs with 92 speed, 91 juke, and 94 trucking do not grow on trees.
Post DDT Analysis: Star dev is a surprise. CJ Donaldson now has a legitimate chance to have a breakout rookie campaign for a Rams offense that has finished top 10 in rushing the past 2 seasons.
#32 Jacksonville Jaguars select RG Geno VanDeMark
Pre DDT Grade: B-
Post DDT Grade: C+
Pre DDT Analysis: Hey, we finally get our second big ugly off the board. Geno’s got solid ratings and will be starting on Day 1 to hopefully help the worst offensive line unit in the league take a step up.
Post DDT Analysis: Normal dev sours things a bit, since developing Oline is so tough as is. For that reason, you see why only 2 olineman were drafted in round 1 of this season 4 draft.
